Janet (not her real name) was worried about her upcoming knee replacement surgery—not the procedure itself, but the knee replacement rehab afterward. She knew her full rehabilitation would take several months and that she needed to attend physical therapy sessions regularly to have the best results. The problem? Janet didn’t know how she’d get to the clinic.
Janet hadn’t driven for the last few years, and she lived alone. Her daughter lived in town but was busy with two kids of her own. Working rehab around her schedule would be next to impossible. Janet didn’t want to inconvenience any of her friends, either.
Fortunately, a solution revealed itself: if Janet couldn’t get to physical therapy, she’d bring the physical therapy to her house! She was thrilled when she learned that No Limit Physical Therapy offers in-home knee replacement rehab, and she went into her surgery with the confidence that she could fully work through post-surgical rehabilitation without any scheduling hassles.
But what exactly happens during knee replacement rehab? How will it help you maximize your knee replacement procedure? Keep reading to find out!
Why Is Knee Replacement Rehab So Important?
Knee replacement surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures. It involves removing damaged cartilage and bone from the knee joint and replacing them with metal or plastic prostheses. These prostheses help restore function and reduce pain for individuals with arthritis or severe knee injuries.
However, rehabilitation afterward is crucial in ensuring good surgical outcomes. This is a lengthy process that focuses on restoring strength and mobility in the knee, which is essential for resuming daily activities. Without proper rehabilitation, you may develop chronic pain or knee stiffness, negatively impacting your quality of life.
A structured rehabilitation program like the in-home programs we offer at No Limit Physical Therapy will help you perform the right exercises to regain strength and mobility. We can also provide the guidance and support needed to safely progress through the recovery stages, helping to prevent complications and get you back to the activities you love.
What Happens During Knee Replacement Rehab?
Janet’s in-home rehabilitation began with a thorough evaluation to help us understand her specific needs and recovery goals. Her main goal was to be more active–to be able to take her dog for longer walks and spend an afternoon shopping without pain.
With this in mind, we collaborated with her surgeon to develop a customized treatment plan designed to improve her knee’s strength, mobility, and overall function. The program incorporated several effective treatment methods, including the following:
- Pain management techniques, including pain-relieving modalities and manual therapy, to help reduce her need for pain medication
- Range of motion exercises to help prevent scar tissue formation and restore mobility
- Strength training to rebuild the muscles around Janet’s knee to provide better support and stability
- Balance training to improve overall stability and reduce fall risk
- Gait retraining to help you learn how to walk properly again, ensuring you use proper mechanics to avoid strain
Knee replacement rehab is a lengthy process. In Janet’s case, she healed from her surgery within weeks, at which point she could perform most day-to-day activities without pain. However, she was not fully rehabilitated at that point. She took what she learned and kept working to restore full strength and function to her knee, which took another several months.
However, Janet’s hard work did pay off. A year after her surgery, she was no longer struggling with arthritis pain. She walked her dog twice daily and continued the regular exercise she picked up from her physical therapy sessions, meeting friends a few times a week to work out at the gym.
Stress-Free In-Home Knee Replacement Rehab
Rehabilitating after a knee replacement is a lot of hard work, but as Janet discovered, it can pay off in the end! In-home rehab takes away the stress and inconvenience of regular physical therapy sessions.
If you’re scheduled for a knee replacement and want to learn how No Limit Physical Therapy can help you afterward, call us to set up an initial appointment!